Lately, I have been getting some take-offs on a few smaller projects on the renovation I just didn’t have the time for, and some larger projects I am unable to do:
5′ poured concrete steps (3 risers and a slab)
Sod
Foam insulation.
A concrete guy told me a price, I agreed–he never came
Sod guy told me how much, I said deliver—-never came
3 seperate companies I emailed and/or called for a list of nearby contractors for foam insulation—never got back with me.
No one called, came back, nothing despite me contacting them one additional time
I have no idea why, but it’s odd that folks can turn down $$$ like that.
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WWPD
Replies
I think I may know why.....not enough time to get into it right now...but I'll be back.
If you have a problem with certain Breaktime members, put them on ignore. Don't go whining to the moderators about it. Grow up already. Buncha Marys.
Wait a minute. You didn't say how much it was going to cost, yet !!
Get over it....... The angry going eat you up. ~Brownbagg '06
A crete seet of steps and a little sod isn't exactly big money. Maybe more a handyman job, I don't know.
The Foam - is in big demand around here this time of year, hard to keep up on schedule. One year ago, I had to wait two months for foam. Do those installers typically work for HOs direct or for GCs?
But overall, I agree this is poor business practice.
I was thinking somewhat along these lines last week based on a call from the furnace/burner/boiler service guy I had in last year. He automaticly called me and set up a date/time to clean it and showed up early witha smile. cf. the last guy I used would take hours of work on my part to get him to show up - every other year.
Sonny Lycos had a thread about this once, and how the best service businesses are built on dependability
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I remember when I was trying to get the engineered joists and trusses.
I went to one plant (highly recommended) and the guy flat out told me he couldn't help me, that he is only able to take his standing customers.
I thanked him and went on.
If anyone were to ask me, I would still recommend that guy first. He was straight and honest.
These are small jobs, however, they are also quick and fast. I did not call the big outfits, but the local, smaller guys knowing that it wasn't worth it to ACME Inc to do a set of steps.
FYI I did the steps.
we'll see if the "new" guy delivers the sod tomorrow
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WWPD
Yep. That's how it goes. We were supposed to get a new concrete patio a few years ago. Agreed on a price. Never showed up. Said things got swamped plus death in the family and we'd be first on the list come spring. Spring came and went.
We finally ended up putting in a paver patio ourselves.
During that, I needed to order some more sand. Decided to call the local place to support them. They don't answer the phone, so you have to leave a message. Left message saying what I wanted and asking for a price. He calls back with the wrong amount. I call back again, leave message. He calls back again, leaving message saying he'll call me that afternoon to talk about it.
Never called.
Ended up going somewhere else.
I think the trades are full of good craftspeople, but poor businesspeople.
I have as many hours as you have at your disposal, some you can buy, some ain't for sale at any cost.
Money and your schedule, will not dissuade me to sacrifice, that which is dear. If you happen to have an issue related to my servitude,,,I am ready and at call.
If you have a beef with a busy contractor being busy, be glad.
I have at least 3 twiddly lobs for ya.
Haveing taken the home phone # offa my card helped, but they still find me for emergencies.
We are busy.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Shooting rubber bands at the Moon
Not returning calls burns me. I call everyone back, period. Even if I don't want the job or don't do that kind of work. I always try to refer calls to someone else that may be able to help them. People like an option.
I know I am not the norm, though.
Just watched a clip on GMA about a sting to nail unlicensed remodelers in Conn. Go get 'em.
http://grungefm.com
They weren't charging enough and went out of business before they could get back to you.
"When it all finally hit the fan I was glad to be holed up in a little beer joint in Robstown Texas called the El Gato Negro."
I have no idea why, but it's odd that folks can turn down $$$ like that.
I've heard a number of similar stories out of Florida. Some seem to be "can y'help me a minute" catching up on the guys. Some seem to be just part of the pace for some smaller operations (they've exceeded their "post-it capacity" as a local wag expresses it). Some are jsut out of their depth, too, I'm guessing.
Makes me wonder if some of these guys even know that they are missing out on work. I hope that not too many are "resting" on the current state of "never run out volume."